Establishes procedures regarding legislative budget submissions

BILL NUMBER:S1956

Title of bill

An act to amend the state finance law, in relation to the submission of legislative budget bills

Summary

This bill adds new section 28 to the state finance law to require, if either house of the Legislature has failed to adopt a budget by the first day of the fiscal year to which such budget applies, that the leaders of each house shall submit to the chairmen and ranking minority members of their respective fiscal committees, the minority leader of each house, the governor and the comptroller, a report either recommending passage of the Governor's budget bills or specifically detailing any proposed amendments, additions, reductions or deletions. Such report shall also identify any amendments to the state financial plan which would be required by the report's recommendations.

Justification

Fiscal year 1991-92 is the seventh consecutive fiscal year for which the Legislature has failed to pass a budget on time. While the state constitution requires the Governor to submit his detailed budget in a timely fashion, no requirement exists for the legislative leaders to submit their own proposals. Details of the budget formulation process, of the proposals and counter-proposals, have been shrouded in secret negotiations among the Temporary President of the Senate, the Speaker of the Assembly and the Governor. The result has been seven years of budget stalemates that have cost local governments, school districts and, of course, state taxpayers millions of dollars each year. This bill is designed to force the legislative leaders to make public their specific proposals in response to the Governor's budget. The effect will be more productive negotiations taking place within a context of informed debate, ultimately resulting in timely passage of the budget and greater accountability of our elected leaders.

Fiscal implication

None to the state.

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately.